We’re not just preparing for the future – we’re forging it.

METAL is led by IACMI – the Composites Institute and supported by the Department of Defense’s IBAS program.

We envision a future where the U.S. casting and forging industry thrives with a skilled and robust workforce, securing our nation’s defense industrial base. By accelerating the development of a highly-skilled, adaptive workforce, METAL (Metallurgical Engineering Trades Apprenticeship & Learning) is unleashing the transformative power of technology and innovation to revitalize American manufacturing.

At its core, METAL embodies a philosophy of boundless possibility. It dares to envision a future where the fusion of cutting-edge training, continuous learning, and audacious thinking can solve even the most complex challenges facing our nation. From the heart of American industry to the frontiers of space exploration, METAL is creating a new generation of metallurgical professionals ready to shape the 21st century.

The U.S. casting and forging industry faces a pressing workforce shortage, threatening the stability of our defense supply chain. By 2028, we need an additional 122,000 skilled professionals, including skilled trades, engineers, and other critical roles. Our dependency on foreign sources for essential materials poses a significant risk to our national security. METAL is our answer to this challenge, providing the necessary training and education to build a self-sustaining workforce.

Innovative Training for Tomorrow’s Workforce

By harnessing the power of scalable, replicable models, this national initiative is meeting the surging demand for skilled metallurgical professionals by redefining the limits of workforce development. With each new training hub, METAL is planting the seeds of a brighter, more resilient future. Our current hubs are in Pennsylvania and Tennessee, with more on the horizon.

METAL is designed to create a national training network that will sustain the base metals workforce through 2050. Leveraging IACMI—The Composite Institute’s® experience and success with America’s Cutting Edge workforce development program, METAL will deliver hands-on training in the casting and forging industries to people of all ages.

Our extensive network of partners and affiliates will annually evaluate our university level curriculum, ensuring it aligns with industry needs and government standards.

METAL is more than a workforce program—it’s a bold declaration of faith in the power of American ingenuity to shape a better and more secure tomorrow.

By joining us, you become part of a dedicated effort to build a stronger, self-reliant America.

Together, we can forge a future where our defense industrial base is second to none.

Read more about our program here.